Thousands Evacuated and Airports Closed in Vietnam as Typhoon 'Molave' Approaches

Vietnam shut down airports and evacuated thousands of people as Typhoon Pabuk gained strength while heading toward the country. The storm already killed at least ten people and caused widespread flooding in the Philippines just days earlier.

The Vietnamese weather agency said the typhoon, packing winds of 133 kilometers per hour, is expected to make landfall in central Vietnam late Sunday at 0200 GMT. That's earlier than originally forecast because the storm is moving faster than expected.

Authorities in Ha Tinh province in central Vietnam started evacuating more than 15,000 people, according to the government. Thousands of soldiers are now on standby to help with rescue operations.

Vietnam's civil aviation authority suspended operations at four coastal airports starting Sunday, including Da Nang International Airport. Several flights have been rescheduled as airlines try to avoid the worst of the storm.

Heavy rains are already causing problems. The government reported flooding in Hue and Quang Tri provinces even before the typhoon's main impact.

Vietnam regularly faces typhoons during the storm season, but Pabuk's rapid strengthening and earlier-than-expected arrival caught authorities working quickly to prepare. The country's central coast, where the storm is heading, includes major tourist destinations and industrial areas that could face significant damage from high winds and flooding.

The Philippines is still dealing with the aftermath of Pabuk's passage, which left communities flooded and infrastructure damaged. Now Vietnam faces similar challenges as the storm continues its path across Southeast Asia.